Today is the day!
Tonite, in fact, I plan to swear in as an official Volunteer! woop woop! (fist pumping in a very geeky fashion) Tonite, were supposed to go to the Ambassador's house, get sworn in, and have dinner. Usually, the PC Country Director pays for drinks and a party afterward, traditionally, but the new one isn't in favor of encouraging alchohol and won't be doing so this year. So, we're heading back to a bar and makin a Halloween themed party for ourselves and whoever wants to come. It should be a bash and a half. Considering I may not see some of these folks for literally the next two years, I'll do my best not to cry when they leave at 6AM tomorrow, stinking of alchohol and dressed as a greek god, cloves and all. Myself, because of the mohawk, I'm planning on going as Mr. T. Unfortunately, though, my fashion statement is seen as unprofessional and shortly after returning from the party, I will be completley shaven once again. Don't worry, there's pictures. HE HE!
There's some issues that are going administratively, that I don't agree with, but because the PeaceCorps is soooooo annal about their public relations on any context, I can't go into them here. I'll vent in some other letters, just don't post them here. The letters I've been writing really are a source of relief for me. Writing' usually isn't, but do to the lack of exercise, they've fit in nicely.
unfortunately, I need to end my post, hope you all are doing well and I will try to post again tomorrow.
posted by laura @ 2:18 PM
3 comments
3 Comments:
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Well How did it go?? Are you sworn in?? Not sure what this other comment is - But I think Mary Ann is keeping up with the blog spam :-)
Miss you!
Adi
Hey Adi and Rod,
How's it going? Ihope you guys are doing well. I miss hanging out with you two. (Much Later)
I started this letter on a bus heading from Ouaga back to my training site. The last two weeks have been hectic in a good way. We left our training village, Mako, after 2 weeks of staying with them and then headed for Gourcy for additional training. Stayed in Groucy for a few days and found out our sites for the next two years. Mine is in the south, a village called To. It is a pretty good sized town for the type of work I will be doing. After finding out our sites, I found out most of my descent friends are scattered far, and far away from me. Next we are headed up to Ouga to do our counterpart workshop, we met w/our village counterparts and I got culturally more aware of where I am headed. My counter part, her name is Madume Sawedago, A line is pretty cool and nice. However, my working counterpart who decided not to show up and sent for her instead is a little bit of a punk. But I am sure we’ll get along well enough eventually
We left Ouaga for my site visit for three days. Here is when I got a glimpse of my life for the next two years. There’s a lot of good things in To. Electricity, a market, a descent home and a soccer field right behind me. So I am rather looking forward to living there. My work environment has some issues that need to be worked out, but overall I think I’ve got a good place to stay. You should come and visit and I’ll give you the grand tour of Burkina. If you do come, whenever, bring some diet coke please!!
After getting adjusted to my site, OH by the way, already, there’s these two cats and a dog waiting for me from the previous volunteer. The two cats are awesome, they’ve been killing all the lizards, crockroaches, and ect. While I’m there. They kick ass.
I went back to Ouaga via bush taxi which was quiet and experience. Think of a regular sized Japanese style van and now picture it w/ 20 people, luggage inside and then picture 10 bikes, a scooter, a motorcycle, 3 more people, 3 bags of grains, a bunch of luggage and a goat on the top. That was my ride for 5 hours. I covered myself in a wrap to keep the dust off of me from an open window. My knees really started to bother me the last hour of the trip having been in the same bent position for so long.
Arriving at Oguaga, I toured about the city on a taxi trying to find the Peace Corps Hostel. Finding it after using two different taxis I met up w/ some other classmates and settled in for the night. We headed out to dinner at this Italian place restaurant that makes its own ice cream. Fantastic! The meals and desserts are very expensive but worth the trip every few months. I think my meal was 14 bucks which would normally pay for 20 meals. Also a little splurge when all you get is rice and grits.
I just got four letters in the mail. I was so happy I cried for the 1st time since being here!!! They were from my parents, my sister Mary, the Jeans of Kentucy and Ashley. My whole week has been made so far. Such a wonderful thing to get mail – indescribable. With that I’ll end this letter to start a new one in order to reply. Tack care.
I appreciate all of your help!
Always,
Laura
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